Hawaii Senate Confirms New CIO

Keone Kali succeeds Sonny Bhagowalia, who was recently promoted to the position of chief adviser for technology and cybersecurity.

On Tuesday, the Hawaii Senate confirmed Keone Kali -- Deputy CIO of Operations in the Office of Information Management and Technology -- as the state's new CIO. Kali replaces Sonny Bhagowalia, who was promoted by Gov. Abercrombie to the position of chief adviser for technology and cybersecurity.

In his former position, Kali oversaw all aspects of IT operations, according to a release, including enterprise shared services, infrastructure and security and privacy.

Kali has nearly two decades of experience in information technology, business development, and management in both the public and private sector. Before coming to the state, he was director of information technology and acting chief technology officer for the Pacific Disaster Center on Maui. A graduate of UCLA, he also previously served as the CIO for Beverly Hills, Calif.